A few spaces remain in each class for the 2017-2018 school year.Preschool Summer Hours vary in July. Voice and email are checked daily.If you fail to reach the staff, feel free to email dfumcpreschool@gmail.com or call 404-377-5784 for information.

The Decatur First United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten has a long, rich tradition of nurturing & educating young children. This year marks the 61st anniversary of its continued stalwart presence as a loving preschool where children play, learn & grow.

Below you'll find links to important informationas well as a downloadable registration application.

Registration for the Preschool & Kindergarten begins in late January with notification of church members & currently-enrolled school participants first. An Open House for parents is scheduled each January. After that, registration by mail is open to any interested families. Parents are always welcome to call and request a tour if they missed the Open House. To register a child, a parent must fill out a registration card and pay the application fee. Parents are notified promptly if the application is accepted. When classes are filled, a waiting list is begun and parents are notified as openings become available. If you have any questions please contact us at 404-377-5784.

The school is certified by the North Georgia United Methodist Preschool Association and is recognized as a Methodist School of Excellence. The school also proudly holds memberships in the following organizations: Georgia Preschool Association Georgia, Association of Weekday Church Schools, National Association for the Education of the Young Child, and the North Georgia United Methodist Preschool Association. Our school holds a license exempt status from state of Georgia Bright from the Start.

The aim of the Preschool and Kindergarten is to help each child develop a wholesome self-concept, an eagerness for learning, an appropriate value system for social growth, and the ability to think and work independently in a loving, Christian setting.

DECATUR FIRST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2017-18

Decatur First Methodist's Weekday Children's Ministries includes a Preschool and Kindergarten program located at 312 Sycamore Street. Children ages 2 ½ (3 by December 31) to age 6 may attend our half day program which runs 9am until noon, Monday through Friday, mid August through May. Our classes offer many opportunities to play & learn while developing readiness for learning academic skills. Special features of the program are:

A loving Christian environment

Small child-teacher ratio

Large classrooms

A terrific new outdoor playground

A rainy day indoor playroom

Music every day

Option of extended day from noon until 1pm. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

A weekly chapel service for the 4's and 5's led by the ministers of our church

Teachers who attend at least 4 workshop classes each year & are CPR/ First Aid trained

Visitors, by appointment, are always welcome to visit our classes prior to the Open House. contact Joanne Hauserman.

Organization

Preschool classes are held Monday through Friday from 9am to noon, mid August through May. Preschool classes are offered for children two-and-a-half (three by December 31), three and four years old. Our two-and-a-half year old classes attend two days a week. The three-year old children may attend either three or five days. Four-year olds attend five days. Class size is limited to 10 two-and- a-half year olds, 12 three-year olds (in three day classes), 14 three-year olds (in five day classes) and 16 four-year olds per class.

A kindergarten class is in session five days and is limited to 18 children. It is taught by certified teachers.The kindergarten class meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm, and on Wednesdays from 9am to noon.

The Preschool and Kindergarten offer an extended day, Kid's Club, which runs from Noon to 1pm each day except Wednesday, beginning in mid September. There is an additional fee for Kid's Club. Art, Spanish, Yoga, Letter Bugs, and Junior Scientists classes are also offered for children in the three-year old and four-year old classes from noon to 1pm for a fee.

Curriculum

We believe the preschool and kindergarten years should be a time for creative play and learning. Our program has a curriculum that develops readiness for learning as well as academic skills. The curriculum in the 4 year old and kindergarten classes is based on the Core curriculum of the state of Georgia. Handwriting Without Tears Curriculum is also used in these classes.

Creative Indoor Play

Children grow socially and intellectually as they interact with each other in imaginative play with blocks, tools, puzzles, games, puppets and housekeeping toys.

Language Development

Horizons are broadened by a variety of books available in each classroom. Special events and field trips stimulate the desire for exploration and discovery while encouraging the expression of ideas. Four and five-year olds dictate and write stories and learn to recognize letters. Our school also uses Handwriting Without Tears Curriculum for these classes. The kindergarten class learns to read using phonics skills.

Art Activities

Music

Singing, rhythm, instruments and creative movement develop music appreciation as well as dramatic interpretation.

Large Muscle Development

Our indoor and outdoor play equipment encourages the physical development of large motor skills. During the winter months the four and five-year olds enjoy gymnastics at the school once a week with instruction and equipment provided by the Atlanta Gymnastics Center.

Financial Policies

Application Fee $100

This is a per child fee and must accompany the registration application. Insurance is provided for each child & is included in this fee. This fee is non-refundable. Siblings in the preschool receive a $20 discount on the application fee only.

Tuition is due the first week of each month, but no later than the 10th of the month. There are no deductions due to illness or any other reason. There is a $10.00 late fee for tuition not paid by the 10th of the month.

Registration

Registration for the Preschool & Kindergarten begins in late January with notification of church members and currently-enrolled school participants first. An Open House for parents is scheduled each January. After that, registration is open to any interested families. Parents are always welcome to call and request a tour if they missed the Open House.

To register a child, a parent must fill out a registration card and pay the application fee. Parents are notified promptly if the application is accepted. When classes are filled, a waiting list is begun and parents are notified as openings become available.

Our Staff

The staff of Decatur First United Methodist Weekday Children's Ministries is trained to provide a warm, nurturing environment that encourages the development of each child. Our 33 staff members attend in-service workshops and other training throughout the year. All staff members are CPR & First Aid trained. All staff members undergo a nation-wide background check prior to employment.

Parents & the School

An effective developmental program for young children must be a coordinated effort between the school and the home. We welcome parental involvement and provide parents with numerous opportunities to participate such as Father's Night, Mother's Night, Birthdays, work days and field trips. Toward the end of the school year we ask parents to evaluate our program and staff by filling out an online survey. Suggestions and comments from parents are encouraged throughout the year as well.

Handbooks

All Preschool and Kindergarten parents receive an electronic or paper copy of the handbook during the visit to the classroom prior to beginning school. Handbooks contain basic information about the program, class rosters and a calendar for the year.

Health Certificates

Every child participating in our program must have a Health Department Immunization Form #3231. Children five years and older must have ear, eye, and dental form #3300.